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Where to Find Cabbage Sausage for Journée du Papet 2018 in Vaud

Have you ever tried Papet Vaudois, a traditional dish from the Swiss canton of Vaud? On January 24, 2018, GastroVaud will host the second edition of Journée du Papet, and youwill have several opportunities to taste it — at one of the locations listed below in 10 Vaudois cities or in one of 45 participating restaurants.

What is Papet Vaudois?

Papet Vaudois is made with Saucisse aux choux (cabbage sausage), and you serve it on a bed of leeks and potatoes cooked with a little cream and some local white wine. Seasoned with salt and pepper, this sausage may contain other flavor enhancements, such as garlic, coriander, nutmeg, mace, cloves and anise. Papet is an old term from the local French dialect that refers to a thick porridge or soup.

I have made Papet Vaudois several times at home and always during the wintertime, using an easy recipe from Betty Bossi. The potatoes and leeks take on the flavor of the sausage during the cooking process, resulting in a very hearty and filling dish.

According to Swiss legend, Saucisse aux choux dates back to 879 when a German emperor visited Vaud. Without enough meat to serve their distinguished guest, the locals added some cabbage to the sausage. According to Patrimoine Culinaire Suisse, this sausage probably did not become widespread until the 19th century. Today, Saucisse aux choux is still popular in Switzerland, earning a protected status—Indication géographique protégée (IGP)—in 2004.

Papet Vaudois has also been recognized as a Tradition vivante (living tradition) by the canton of Vaud.

How can you participate in the Journée du Papet?

Given the long history of this regional dish, it’s not surprising that the association of restaurants and hotels for the canton of Vaud, GastroVaud, selected it to help commemorate its 125th anniversary in 2017.

Here’s a list of the 10 cities where you can find a free sample on Papet Vaudois between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018:

AIGLE, Rue Farel

CHÂTEAU-D’OEX, Grand Rue

ECHALLENS, Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville

LAUSANNE, Place St-François and Place du Tunnel

MORGES, Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, angle Grand-Rue

NYON, Place St-Martin

PAYERNE, Place Général Guisan, in front of le Centre Coop

PULLY, Place de la Gare

VEVEY, in front of the Centre commercial St-Antoine

YVERDON-LES-BAINS, Place Auguste Fallet, rue des Remparts

That same day, 46 restaurants within the canton of Vaud will be serving up Papet Vaudois as their plat du jour.

Journée du Papet is being organized with support from the Fédération Vaudoise des Producteurs de Légumes and the Charcuterie Vaudoise IGP. For more information about this event and GastroVaud, you can visit gastrovaud.ch.